Bruges

Bruges, like Ghent, is charmingly full of canals, gabled houses and impressive state buildings. Its wealth derived from trading especially in the medieval period, as at the time it was very near the sea. I visited an exhibition that showed just how much the land and sea had changed over time and how many times they had dug and redug canals and ports to maintain their position. It was a huge ongoing effort. The inland towns that I will visit tomorrow were once defended ports of Bruges.

Bruges is full of gems but rewards exploration of corners a little off the beaten track; there is plenty to discover.Läs mer